Lightning strike alarm system using bipolar conventional air terminal

ABSTRACT

A lightning strike alarm system using a Bipolar Conventional Air Terminal (BCAT) is provided. The lightning strike alarm system using BCAT including a rod element to which a ground charge is electrified and an electrification plate-cone or an electrification plate-tube electrified by a thunderstorm cloud, includes a luminescence unit to be electrically connected to the rod element and the electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube and emits light by electric energy electrified to the electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube by the thunderstorm cloud. The lightning strike alarm system enables a user to find that an impulse current of the thunderstorm is normally and safely flown to the ground, and thus, the user may have psychological security.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a lightning strike alarm system usinga Bipolar Conventional Air Terminal (BCAT), which is installed on theBCAT and reduces the probability of lightning strikes by inhibiting anincrease of an electric field caused by earth potential whenthunderclouds approach.

BACKGROUND ART

With the increase in intensity of typhoons and local heavy rain due toglobal warming, the frequency of lightning strikes has increasedaccordingly. As lightning strike damage increases along with an increasein outdoor activities such as golf and mountain climbing, relatedcountermeasures are required.

A thunderstorm cloud which causes lightning, is electrically charged andincludes an upper portion made of ice crystals having positive electriccharges and a lower portion made of water droplets having negativeelectric charges. A thunderstorm is a phenomenon in which thunderstormcharge is discharged to the earth through air insulation breakdown. Inthis process, an electromagnetic field is generated and propagatesthrough the atmosphere. A technique of analyzing positions ofthunderclouds may be used to predict thunderstorm activity, movementpaths of thunderstorm clouds, and lightning strike occurrences, andtherefore, is adopted in meteorological observations and preventinglightning strike damage in various fields such as meteorologicalobservations for launching spacecraft, setting safety measures forbuilding structures and electric power facilities, and ensuring securityon golf courses and in playgrounds.

A lightning strike alarm system is equipment which may be used todecrease loss of life by predicting and issuing alerts in order toprevent damage from the lightning strikes in advance. In general,conventional lightning strike alarm systems issue alerts or predictlightning strikes by measuring ground electric fields. In these cases,the lightning strike alarm systems use high frequency and low frequencyinterference phenomenon, issue alarms by performing local electricalfield sensing, or issue an alarm when lightning strikes a Franklinlightning rod.

However, the conventional art just have functions of sensing and issuingalarms when using the interference phenomenon or local alert sensors.Also, since the Franklin alarm system includes lightning strikeinduction, there is a high possibility that people nearby may be hurt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosureis directed to providing a lightning strike alarm system using a BipolarConventional Air Terminal (BCAT) for warning of a danger of lightningstrikes by measuring a voltage induced in a discharge shade as athunderstorm cloud approaches so that the BCAT may lower a probabilityof lightning strikes by alleviating a voltage increase due to theapproach of the thunderstorm cloud by using a corona discharge method.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the objectives mentioned above, the presentdisclosure is related to a lightning strike alarm system using a coronadischarge method including a rod element to which a ground charge iselectrified by a thunderstorm cloud, including: a sensor, which iselectrically connected to a rod element and an electrificationplate-cone or an electrification plate-tube (hereinafter referred to as“a discharge shade” for convenience of explanation) and measureselectric energy induced in the electrification plate-cone or theelectrification plate-tube discharge shade by the thunderstorm cloud;and a controller which determines that the thunderstorm has approachedwhen the electric energy measured by the sensor unit is greater than areference energy set in advance.

Also, in the lightning strike alarm system using the BCAT of the presentdisclosure, the sensor includes: a luminescence unit which iselectrically connected to the rod element and the electrificationplate-cone or the electrification plate-tube and emits light by theelectric energy induced in the electrification plate-cone or theelectrification plate-tube by the thunderstorm cloud; and a lightreceiver which receives the light emitted from the luminescence unit andconverts the light to electric energy and transfers the convertedelectric energy to the control unit.

Also, the present disclosure is related to the lightning strike alarmsystem using the BCAT, wherein the luminescence unit includes lightemitting devices with different polarities connected in parallel so thatall the light emitting devices may emit light even when currents ofdifferent polarities are input.

Also, the present disclosure is related to the lightning strike alarmsystem using the BCAT, wherein the sensor unit further includes: a lightshielding block which accommodates the luminescence unit and the lightreceiving unit, maintains an electric contact between the rod elementand the electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube,and supplies electric energy induced in the electrification plate-tubeor the electrification plate-tube; a locking bolt forming a removabletensioning groove for fixing and supporting an end of the lightshielding block; and a spring which is installed in the removabletensioning groove and elastically supports the light shielding block.

Also, the present disclosure is related to the lightning strike alarmsystem using the BCAT, where light shielding block binding units havingprotruding structures and configured to protect and cover the lightshielding block and the locking bolts, are arranged in a circumferentialdirection of the electrification plate-cone or the electrificationplate-tube.

The present disclosure is related to the lightning strike alarm systemusing the BCAT, wherein a fastening device which is complimentarilyremovably attached to the electrification plate-cone or theelectrification plate-tube is arranged in the light shielding blockbinding units.

The present disclosure is related to the lightning strike alarm systemusing the BCAT, wherein a terminal piece accommodation groove thataccommodates a terminal piece on an end of the light shielding block ina length direction within is arranged in a circumferential direction ofthe rod element in the light shielding block binding unit.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

As described above, by measuring electric energy of the thunderstormcloud formed on the electrification plate-cone or the electrificationplate-tube when the thunderstorm cloud approaches by using an inducedvoltage generated from a discharge shade of the BCAT, a lightning strikemay be predicted as the thunderstorm cloud approaches, an alert may beissued, thereby decreasing potential loss of life.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire structure of alightning strike alarm system using a Bipolar Conventional Air Terminal(BCAT), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the lightning strike alarmsystem using the BCAT, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating configuration of a sensor unitin FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating another embodiment of a shadeblock binding unit included in the sensor unit in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram with respect to the sensor unit and acontrol unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating currents or voltages generated from apositive polarity portion and a negative polarity portion of thethunderstorm cloud, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the lightning strikealarm system using the BCAT, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an experimental apparatus used formeasuring a voltage induced between a discharge shade and a rod element.

FIG. 9 is a picture showing the experimental apparatus used formeasuring the voltage induced between the discharge shade and the rodelement.

BEST MODE Mode of the Invention

Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed according to attached drawings.

Also, in the descriptions of the present disclosure, like referencenumerals may be used to represent like elements, and repeatedexplanations will be omitted.

First, an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 1.

A lightning strike alarm system using a Bipolar Conventional AirTerminal (BCAT) includes a discharging and lightning strike receivingunit 10 including the BCAT, a sensor 40 to detect a voltage of a coronadischarge, and, a controller to control issuing of lightning strikealarms according to levels of measured voltages, a power supply 90 tosupply power. The lightning strike alarm system may further include analarm unit 70 to issue alarms, a data recorder 80 to record the issuedalarms, the measured voltages, and values of electric fields. Also, aground contact part 50 is installed in the ground.

First, the discharging and lightning strike receiving unit 10 includesthe BCAT (or a Bipolar Lightning Strike Arrester) to perform a coronadischarge and receives lightning strikes in order to prevent a groundingvoltage from increasing when the thunderstorm cloud approaches.Hereinafter, the term “discharging and lightning strike receiving unit”10 may be mixed with the term “BCAT”. The discharging and lightningstrike receiving unit 10 (or the BCAT) “includes an electrificationplate-cone 200 or an electrification plate-tube 300 electrified by thethunderstorm clouds, and a rod element 100 to which a ground electriccharge is electrified.

Also, insulators 110 for insulation between the electrificationplate-cone 200 and the electrification plate-tube 300 are installed onthe rod element 100. Accordingly, the rod element 100 and theelectrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube 300 areinsulated from each other. When a lightning strike occurs due to athunderstorm cloud, an impulse current of the lightning strike safelyflows to the ground via the rod element 100.

The sensor unit 40 transforms electrical energy induced in theelectrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300(hereinafter referred to as a discharge shade into light and thenconverts the light into a voltage.

The sensor unit 40 includes a luminescence unit 410 to emit light byusing a voltage generated on the discharge shade and a light receiver450 to receive the light emitted from the luminescence unit 410.

The luminescence unit 410 is electrically connected to the rod element100 and the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrificationplate-tube 300 and emits light by electrical energy induced in theelectrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300 bythe thunderstorm cloud. The light receiving unit 450 receives the lightemitted from the luminescence unit 410 and transmits an output signal(an output voltage or output current) to the control unit 60. In thiscase, a level of the output voltage or output current is determined inproportion to an intensity of the light.

Next, the control unit 60 controls an issue of a lightning strike alarmaccording to a level of the measured voltage. That is, the control unit60 converts the voltage received from the sensor unit 40 to an electricfield value, and when the electric field value exceeds a reference valueset in advance, the control unit 60 determines that the lightning strikehas occurred. When the electric field value is higher than the referencevalue, the control unit 60 may issue an alarm signal.

The power supply unit 90 supplies power to the discharging and lightningstrike receiving unit 10, the sensor unit 40, and the control unit 60.The power supply unit 90 may include a solar panel and a battery. Inother words, the power supply unit 90 may include a solar panel toautonomously produce and supply power in order to operate a system wheninstalled outdoors where the power is not easily supplied.

The alarm unit 70 is an alarm device including an alarm light or abuzzer. Alternatively, the alarm unit 70 may transmit alarm contents toa control server (not shown) or a terminal of a person in charge (suchas a mobile terminal) (not shown) through wired or wirelesscommunication.

The data recording unit 80 records data regarding the electric fieldvalue converted by the alarm unit 70 or the control unit 60. In otherwords, the data recording unit 80 calculates and records voltages orcurrents of the corona discharge measured by the sensor unit 40according to a regular cycle or an event set in advance. The groundcontact part 50 includes a ferrite earth module to maintain a low earthresistance.

Next, the discharging and lightning strike receiving unit 10 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the discharging and lightning strike receivingunit 10 includes the rod element 100 to which the ground charge iselectrified, the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrificationplate-tube 300 electrified by the thunderstorm cloud. Also, the sensorunit 40 is electrically connected to the rod element 100 and theelectrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300 andemits light by electrical energy electrified (which will be referred toas “induced” for more convenient explanation) to the electrificationplate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300 due to lightningstrikes. The discharging and lightning strike receiving unit 10illustrated in FIG. 2 has also been disclosed in detail in PatentApplication No. 10-2015-0112447 of the applicant.

First, the rod element 100 is elongated to a certain length to beinstalled perpendicularly to an outdoor surface and induces the groundcharge.

Also, a fixing plate 101 may be further provided on a lower end of therod element 100 to stably fix the rod element 100 and broaden a contactarea of the rod element 100 with the ground. As the fixing plate 101 isa flat plate type element with a certain thickness, a fastening device(not shown) may be installed on a surface of the fixing plate 101 sothat the fixing plate 101 may be firmly fixed onto the ground or abuilding structure. Also, the lower end of the rod element 100 contactsthe ground contact part 50.

Also, the insulators 110 for insulation between the rod element 100 andthe electrification plate-cone 200 and the electrification plate-tube300 to be described hereinafter are installed on one side and anotherside in a length direction of the rod element 100.

As insulating elements made of ceramic or synthetic resin, theinsulators 110 include a first insulator 110 a installed on an upperportion of the rod element 100 and a second insulator 110 b installed ona lower portion of the rod element 100. A penetration hole 111 throughwhich the rod element 100 is fixed is formed on the second insulator 110b, and an insulation protuberance 112 to be inserted into theelectrification plate-tube 300 are formed around a radius of an outercircumference of the penetration hole 111.

The insulation protuberance 112 has a certain length in order to securean insulation distance between the electrification plate-tube 300 andthe rod element 100 and guides raindrops that have fallen into theelectrification plate-tube 300 due to wind to be easily emitted to anexternal area of the electrification plate-tube 300. Therefore, theinsulation protuberance 112 has a structure in which a plurality ofcone-shaped elements with narrow upper portions and wide lower portionsare collinearly connected in a row.

Also, the electrification plate-cone 200 is installed on an upper end ina length direction of the rod element 100, below the first insulator 110a. The electrification plate-cone 200, which remains electricallyinsulated from the rod element 100 and is electrically connected to theelectrification plate-tube 300, is a component to which a voltage of apolarity opposite to the grounding charge is applied.

In addition, corrugations 201 may be repeatedly formed on an edge in acircumferential direction of the electrification plate-cone 200. Thecorrugations 201 may be used for inducing equal distributions ofdischarge with respect to the circumferential direction of theelectrification plate-cone 200.

Such a configuration of the electrification plate-cone 200 facilitatesdischarge between the thunderstorm cloud and the ground by concentratingthe electric field when there is a lightning strike.

The electrification plate-tube 300 is located in a portion in the lengthdirection of the rod element 100, that is, between the first insulator110 a and the second insulator 110 b, electrically connected to theelectrification plate-cone 200, and is charged with a polarity oppositeto the polarity of the grounding charge. The electrification plate-tube300 may have the form of a tube and form a hollow so that the rodelement 100 may be attached to the center of the electrificationplate-tube 300.

Also, a supporting unit 130 to support the electrification plate-cone200 and the first insulator 110 a is installed above the rod element110.

Also, a plurality of penetration grooves 310 with a uniform size areformed on an upper portion and a lower portion in a circumferentialdirection of the electrification plate-tube 300.

The sensor unit 40, which is electrically connected to the rod element100 and the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrificationplate-tube 300, emits light by electric energy being induced in theelectrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300 bythe thunderstorm cloud, receives the emitted light and converts thelight into a voltage via a photodiode (PD), and transmits the voltage tothe control unit 60.

Next, a configuration of the sensor unit 40 according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 3.

As described above, the sensor unit 40 is installed between the rodeelement 100 and the electrification plate-cone 200 or theelectrification plate-tube 300.

The sensor unit 40 detects an emission of the light due to the voltageinduced in the discharge shade and a level of the voltage due to anapproach of the thunderstorm cloud, thereby determining whether thethunderstorm cloud is approaching. In other words, by emitting the lightand detecting the impulse current of the lightning strike before itsoccurrence, it is possible to recognize that the impulse current of thelightning strike flows safely to the ground via the BCAT. On thecontrary, if the sensor unit 40 does not detect the approachingthunderstorm cloud, a grounding error between the rod element 100 andthe ground may be detected. Therefore, by taking immediate action,building fires, structural damage, and loss of life due to lightningstrikes may be prevented, and the inconvenience and necessity ofperiodic inspection work in which a worker has to climb up to a narrowinstallation site and check operation of a lightning strike arresterdespite it operating normally may be avoided.

In an embodiment, the sensor unit 40 includes: the luminescence unit 410to maintain an electrical contact with respect to the rod element 100and the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube300 and perform a flickering operation; a locking bolt 420 to form aremovable tensioning groove 421 to fix and support an end of theluminescence unit 410; a spring 430 to be installed within the removabletensioning groove 421 and elastically support the luminescence unit 410;and a light receiving unit 450 to receive the light limited from theluminescence unit 410, convert the light to a current or a voltage, andoutput the current or the voltage. Also, the sensor unit 40 may furtherinclude a light shielding block 460 installed around the sensor unit 40to block light from and to an exterior area.

The luminescence unit 410 and the light receiving unit 410 are providedin the light shielding block 460.

The luminescence unit 410 includes light emission diodes (LEDs), and mayalso include LEDs including voltage stabilizers disclosed in the presentfield. Also, a discharge tube (also referred to as “an arc tube”) usedfor a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, etc. may be used for theluminescence unit 410.

Each of terminal pieces 411 a and 411 b is formed on each of two ends ofthe light shielding block 460 in order to facilitate electric flows. Theterminal piece 411 a installed on one end of the light shielding block460 contacts the rod element 100 and the terminal piece 411 b installedon another end of the light shielding block contacts the electrificationplate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube, thereby maintainingelectric connections.

The locking bolt 420 is screwed to penetrate the electrificationplate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300. A locking threadunit 422 is formed in an outer circumference direction, and theremovable tensioning groove 421 to fix and support an end of theluminescence unit 410 is formed on an end of the locking bolt 420.

A locking jaw 421 a to be locked with respect to the terminal piece 411b of the luminescence unit 410 is formed on an open face of theremovable tensioning groove 421. The locking bolt 420 is made of metalto facilitate electric conductivity.

The spring 430 is installed in the removable tensioning groove 421 andelastically supports the light shielding block 460 fixed to theremovable tensioning groove 421. In other words, the spring 430 protectsthe light shielding block 460 from damage due to external shocks andstabilizes electric connections of the light shielding block 460.

Also, a terminal piece accommodation groove 140 to accommodate theterminal piece 411 a of the light shielding block 460 within is formedin a circumference direction of the rod element 100. The terminal piece411 a may maintain a stable connection state without floating by formingthe terminal piece accommodation groove 140. The terminal piece 411 a ofthe light shielding block 460 may be installed to contact on a side toan outer circumferential surface of the rod element 100.

Also, desirably, light shielding block locking units 350 with protrudingstructures to protect and cover the light shielding block 460 and thelocking bolt 420 may further be arranged in a circumferential directionof the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube300.

A location in which the sensor unit 40 is installed may be more clearlyrecognized by using the light shielding block locking unit 350.

Also, FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the light shielding blocklocking unit 350, in which a fastening device 351 that iscomplementarily removably attached to the electrification plate-cone 200or the electrification plate-tube 300.

In an embodiment, the light shielding block locking unit 350 includes afirst locking joint gadget 351 a and a second locking joint gadget 351 bso that the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrificationplate-tube 300 may be locked in an upward direction and a downwarddirection having the light shielding block locking unit 350 in between,and each of locking grooves 301 to be locked to the first locking jointgadget 351 a and the second locking joint gadget 351 b is respectivelyarranged on the electrification plate-tube 200 or the electrificationplate-tube 300.

Also, the light receiving unit 450 in the light shielding block 460 isinstalled to face the luminescence unit 410, and may include aphotodiode (PD). Output signals from the PD are consecutivelytransmitted to the control unit 60. In the output signals from the PD,the current or voltage increases in proportion to an intensity of thelight emitted from the luminescence unit 410. Accordingly, when anintensity of the current or the voltage of the light receiving unit 450or the PD is greater than an intensity set in advance, the control unit60 detects the approach of the thunderstorm cloud.

Next, a configuration of the sensor unit 40 according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the firstembodiment, the luminescence unit 410 and the light receiving unit 450of the sensor unit 40 are connected to the locking bolt 420, however,the luminescence unit 410 and the light receiving unit 450 are installedinside or adjacent to the control unit 60. That is, a wire (lead wire)to be connected to the electrification plate-cone 200 or theelectrification plate-tube 300 and the rod element 100 is pulled out toa location on which the sensor unit 40 is installed, and is connected toan input terminal 400 of the luminescence unit 410 included in thesensor unit 40.

Next, a configuration of a circuit of the sensor unit 40 and the controlunit 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the sensor unit 40 is connected by an inputpower source In 1 and ground G, the input power source In 1 iselectrically connected to the electrification plate-cone 200 or theelectrification plate-tube 300, and the ground G is electricallyconnected to the rod element 100. In other words, a power source for theluminescence unit 410 of the sensor unit 40 is electrical power inducedin the electrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube300, and the supplied electrification power contacts the ground throughthe rod element 100.

The sensor unit 40 includes the luminescence unit 410 and changes theelectrical power or the voltage induced by the thunderstorm cloud intolight. In other words, the sensor unit 40 changes the voltage generatedby the corona discharge of the BCAT into light.

Optical conversion is required because, even though a measurementcircuit will not be harmed on a low voltage, a high voltage may beinduced in the measurement circuit and cause circuitry to be harmed whenthe BCAT receives the lightning strike. That is, a linear change ofamounts of light with a purpose of insulation according to voltageincrease of the LEDs may be measured, converted again into voltages viaa photo sensor, and input to a control circuit.

Also, the luminescence unit 410 includes LEDs with different polaritiesconnected in parallel so that all the LEDs may emit light even whencurrents of different polarities are input. The thunderstorm cloud issorted into a positive polarity portion and a negative polarity portionas illustrated in FIG. 6. A field-mill type sensor may perform polarityassortment, however, a general Franklin air terminal type of lightningstrike monitoring system may not easily perform the polarity assortment.Accordingly, the luminescence unit 410 may be a circuit device fordetecting different polarities, and in a light transformation unit, apositive polarity device is operated with respect to the thunderstormcloud having a positive polarity, and a negative polarity device isoperated with respect to the thunderstorm cloud having a negativepolarity.

The light receiving unit 450 includes devices such as the PDs, and theoutput voltage or the output current increases depending on theintensity of the light emitted from the luminescence unit 410.

When the voltage input from the sensor unit 40 is higher than areference voltage, the control unit 60 immediately sends a warningsignal to the alarm unit 70. A measured value generated in this case maybe transferred to a data storage unit 80 and recorded as relevant data.

The alarm unit 70 receives the input signal and operates the alarmlight, and at the same time, lets out a buzzer sound, thereby warning ofdanger.

A data storage unit 80 stores the measured signal value as the electricfield value (KV/M) together with time data.

Also, as the lightning strike alarm system according to the presentdisclosure is installed outdoors, it is highly influenced by thelifetime and stability of operation of the circuit device due toenvironmental circumstances. To deal with effects on temperature, whenthe temperature is higher or lower than a certain level, a cooling fanand a heater may be operated.

Next, operations of the lightning strike alarm system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, first, the BCAT monitors a voltage increasedue to the approach of a thunderstorm cloud (S10). Also, the sensor unit40 may operate due to the approach of the thunderstorm cloud.

Next, the control unit 60 detects an output from the sensor unit 40 andcompares the output with a reference value (a reference voltage) set inadvance (S20). When the output is greater than the reference value, itis determined that the thunderstorm cloud is approaching (S30). When itis determined that the thunderstorm cloud is approaching, that is, whenthe input is 1, an operation signal is transmitted to the alarm unit 70.

Also, after the operation signal is transmitted to the alarm unit 70,the sensor unit continually detects outputs (S40). While the sensor unit40 continually outputs signals, the control unit 60 continually operatesthe alarm unit 70. Also, in this case, generated data is stored (S50).

Also, when it is determined that the thunderstorm cloud has notapproached, the alarm unit 70 is released from control (S60). That is,when it is determined that there is no signal, the alarm unit 70 isreleased from control.

Results of a simulation, performed in order to check whether there is avoltage induced in the discharge shade according to the approach of thethunderstorm cloud, are described below.

FIG. 8 illustrates an experimental apparatus to connect the BCAT to ahigh voltage supply apparatus, apply a voltage between a round plate andthe BCAT, and measure a level of the voltage induced between thedischarge shade and the rod element 100. The high voltage supplyapparatus is a well-known apparatus widely used in a high voltage field,which is used in voltage breakdown tests using round plates andneedle-electrodes.

When the BCAT applied in the present disclosure and a round platereplacing the thunderstorm cloud is connected to an output terminal of ahigh voltage supply apparatus and the voltage is induced between thegrounded rod element and the round plate of the BCAT that is grounded,

A voltage of a voltmeter used to detect a level of the voltage inducedbetween the grounded rod element of the BCAT and the electrificationplate-tube or the electrification plate-cone (the discharge shade)insulated from the grounded rod element (or a lamp to check aluminescence state) is measured, and results of the measurement is shownin Table 1 below. That is, it may be recognized that the voltage isinduced between the grounded rod element 100 of the BCAT and theelectrification plate-tube or the electrification plate-cone (thedischarge shade) insulated from the grounded rod element 100 when thethunderstorm cloud approaches and thus the luminescence unit 410 emitsthe light.

TABLE 1 distance 20 cm(diameter of round plate: 200 cm) between roundplate and lightning rod (d) applied 70 kV 80 kV 90 kV 100 kV 110 kVvoltage terminal 2.25 2.36 2.43 2.47 2.49 voltages on two ends of lampin state when discharge tubes (lamp operated by charges) for stabilityof measure (V) measured 28 74 205 410 670 voltage value (when lamp isopen) (V) conversion 350 kV/m 400 kV/m 450 kV/m 500 kV/m 550 kV/m ofelectric field value

In the above table, the lamp is a luminescence tube used for an AC220Vnatrium discharge lamp available on the market and disclosed in thepresent disclosure.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, when theelectrification plate-cone 200 or the electrification plate-tube 300 iselectrically connected to the sensor 40, and the sensor unit 40 detectsthe electrification thereof, the control unit 60 controls the alarm unitto issue an alarm signal, and thus, a grounded state of the BCAT may beclearly confirmed as well as whether the BCAT is operating normally.

While the present disclosure has been described in detail according toembodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it willbe understood that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lightning strike alarm system using a BipolarConventional Air Terminal (BCAT) comprising a rod element electrified bya ground charge, an electrification plate-cone or an electrificationplate-tube electrified by a thunderstorm cloud, the lightning strikealarm system comprising: a sensor unit electrically connected to the rodelement and the electrification plate-cone or the electrificationplate-tube and configured to measure electric energy induced in theelectrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube by thethunderstorm cloud; and, a controller configured to determine that thethunderstorm cloud has approached when the electrical energy measured bythe sensor unit is greater than a reference energy set in advance;wherein the sensor unit comprises: a luminescence unit electricallyconnected to the rod element and the electrification plate-cone or theelectrification plate-tube and configured to emit light by the electricenergy induced in the electrification plate-cone or the electrificationplate-tube; a light receiver configured to receive the light emittedfrom the luminescence unit, convert the light to electric energy, andtransfer the electric energy to the controller; and a light shieldingblock configured to accommodate the luminescence unit and the lightreceiver and maintain an electric contact between the rod element andthe electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube, and tosupply the electric energy induced in the electrification plate-cone orthe electrification plate-tube to the luminescence unit.
 2. Thelightning strike alarm system of claim 1, wherein the luminescence unitcomprises light emitting devices having different polarities andconnected in parallel, the light emitting devices being configured toemit light even when currents of different polarities are input.
 3. Thelightning strike alarm system of claim 1, wherein the sensor unitfurther comprises: a locking bolt configured to form a removabletensioning groove to fix and support an end of the light shieldingblock.
 4. The lightning strike alarm system of claim 3, wherein lightshielding block binding units with protruding structures, configured tocover and protect the light shielding block and the locking bolt, areadditionally arranged in a circumferential direction of theelectrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube.
 5. Thelightning strike alarm system of claim 4, wherein a fastening device tobe complementarily removably attached to the electrification plate-coneor the electrification plate-tube is arranged in the light shieldingblock binding units.
 6. The lightning strike alarm system of claim 1,wherein a terminal piece accommodation groove to accommodate a terminalpiece on an end of the light shielding block in a length direction isarranged in a circumferential direction of the rod element.